I got this on release in late autumn '74 - a 'Porky's' cut - and the drums certainly didn't sound low on the mix, especially on 'Sound Chaser'. In some ways this was Yes' Mahavishnu moment, and as Yes compositions go was a challenging listen. What I do recall about that OG pressing was a constant low level hum on side 2 that was evident between the two tracks and well into 'To Be Over'. Some years later I bought a Japanese pressing, but my go to comparison now would more likely be a sealed Italian pressing from ~'76 that I bought a couple of years ago. I trained as a printer/lithographer in the '70s, and I've since maintained an appreciation for printer's ink and paper/card stock. The overly thick, heavy, and glossy Stoughton type sleeve on the Rhino High Fidelity does not come anywhere close to the satin/matte finish of the original release, as you've well illustrated here. And while I get that this is a 'series' from Rhino, the failure to maintain the custom labels of the original was a bad decision.
I see what you about this being Yes’ ‘Mahavishu Moment’. Didn’t know of the low level hum issue. That’s very interesting: same issue as with The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway…
1:41 Relayer was mixed at Advision Studios but it was NOT recorded there. It was recorded at Chris Squire's home in Virgina Water. Eddie Offord brought his mobile recordiong gear and a 24 track tape recorder to Chris's house.
Speaking of Kevin Gray, are you getting a copy of War Greatest Hits (on Rhino 33) which he cut using his new Cohearant Sudio all valve system. Apparently it was a first test of the system which he went on to use for the Kirsten Edkins album. The War LP came out on gold vinyl for RSD as a limited edition but has now been done on blue vinyl at normal LP price!
@@DaveDenyer That's fair, you can't buy everything. It was on my reserve list but when I saw it come back into stock at a well known online record store I went for it.
Kevin Grey is one of our best mastering engineers, and I don’t think 33rpm vs 45rpm has anything to do with the new Yes Album and 90125 being much better remasters than Relayer. It seems that “detail” is the main (label directed?) focus of the entire Rhino Hi Fi Series. The six I have are all top heavy and fatiguing to varying degrees in order to provide that detail. Organic and lifelike is why I put up with and pay for vinyl. Rhino HiFis are sadly not that.
I had to get mine direct from Rhino but early good delivery. On listening to my copies (same editions as yours Dave) I felt the same - the new mix is harsher, I’m unsure until I have had some more listening sessions but right now I prefer the original.
@@DaveDenyer I saw Roger Deans exhibition at Cropredy Festival and noticed that the Relayer cover art was in fact more grey than yellow. The snake was quite vibrant but the overall hue was grey. With this I would guess the Rhino issue is probably more accurate. I wasn’t keen on the Rhino labels. The originals were much better.
Love the original UK Porky cut of Relayer so wasn’t even tempted by the Rhino on this occasion. Interesting point on the cover. I noticed the Rhino Black Sabbath was also washed out in the colour tones. Some of the recent Atlantic 75 covers have also been disappointing compared to the original’s(eg: The Yes Album), thankfully the sound on those has been fantastic!
I also have a hand signed litho of this cover artwork from Roger Dean himself. The artwork has a wider spectrum of colors than any actual cover print. But the original, or at least the litho than Roger dean was personally signing and selling was much more blue than the original UK pressing. The reissue, while still not true to the artwork is more accurate
Hey Dave- do you by any chance know when the AP Fragile 45 is coming out? I know Close to the Edge is coming next month, but I can’t seem to find a release date for Fragile.
Hi Brendan, I didn't actually know that Close to the Edge was due next month. Best get my pre order in! Sorry, I don't have any secret info from Acoustic Sounds. However if I find out I'll certainly let you know.
@@DaveDenyer and for hard core Yes collectors such as myself the original original UK pressing of Time and a Word has the song order wrong on side B. They very quickly caught this mistake and recut side B. This is easy to ID in the matrix numbers. The true original with the wrong song order is 1A 1B. The corrected pressing is 1A 2B. Nothing to do with Relayer but good to know. The true originals are very rare.
![Yes - The Gates Of Delirium (excerpt) [ Audio rip from 2024 Rhino High Fidelity Vinyl LP ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/0z3sPKrDjyk/mqdefault.jpg)
Thanks for a great review, and I'm glad you liked the essay!
Glad you liked the review. Thanks for the feedback.
I got this on release in late autumn '74 - a 'Porky's' cut - and the drums certainly didn't sound low on the mix, especially on 'Sound Chaser'. In some ways this was Yes' Mahavishnu moment, and as Yes compositions go was a challenging listen. What I do recall about that OG pressing was a constant low level hum on side 2 that was evident between the two tracks and well into 'To Be Over'. Some years later I bought a Japanese pressing, but my go to comparison now would more likely be a sealed Italian pressing from ~'76 that I bought a couple of years ago. I trained as a printer/lithographer in the '70s, and I've since maintained an appreciation for printer's ink and paper/card stock. The overly thick, heavy, and glossy Stoughton type sleeve on the Rhino High Fidelity does not come anywhere close to the satin/matte finish of the original release, as you've well illustrated here. And while I get that this is a 'series' from Rhino, the failure to maintain the custom labels of the original was a bad decision.
I see what you about this being Yes’ ‘Mahavishu Moment’.
Didn’t know of the low level hum issue. That’s very interesting: same issue as with The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway…
1:41 Relayer was mixed at Advision Studios but it was NOT recorded there.
It was recorded at Chris Squire's home in Virgina Water.
Eddie Offord brought his mobile recordiong gear and a 24 track tape recorder to Chris's house.
Interesting. Thanks for the info Frank.
Speaking of Kevin Gray, are you getting a copy of War Greatest Hits (on Rhino 33) which he cut using his new Cohearant Sudio all valve system. Apparently it was a first test of the system which he went on to use for the Kirsten Edkins album. The War LP came out on gold vinyl for RSD as a limited edition but has now been done on blue vinyl at normal LP price!
Hi Ian, I won't be getting War Greatest Hits. Simply not high enough up my 'want list'...
@@DaveDenyer That's fair, you can't buy everything. It was on my reserve list but when I saw it come back into stock at a well known online record store I went for it.
Thanks Dave!! You just saved me 40 bucks!!!!
Glad you found it useful Dave.
Kevin Grey is one of our best mastering engineers, and I don’t think 33rpm vs 45rpm has anything to do with the new Yes Album and 90125 being much better remasters than Relayer. It seems that “detail” is the main (label directed?) focus of the entire Rhino Hi Fi Series. The six I have are all top heavy and fatiguing to varying degrees in order to provide that detail. Organic and lifelike is why I put up with and pay for vinyl. Rhino HiFis are sadly not that.
I’ve no argument about Kevin Gray, one of my favourite mastering engineers.
I had to get mine direct from Rhino but early good delivery. On listening to my copies (same editions as yours Dave) I felt the same - the new mix is harsher, I’m unsure until I have had some more listening sessions but right now I prefer the original.
Thanks for the feedback Jon
@@DaveDenyer I saw Roger Deans exhibition at Cropredy Festival and noticed that the Relayer cover art was in fact more grey than yellow. The snake was quite vibrant but the overall hue was grey. With this I would guess the Rhino issue is probably more accurate. I wasn’t keen on the Rhino labels. The originals were much better.
Love the original UK Porky cut of Relayer so wasn’t even tempted by the Rhino on this occasion. Interesting point on the cover. I noticed the Rhino Black Sabbath was also washed out in the colour tones. Some of the recent Atlantic 75 covers have also been disappointing compared to the original’s(eg: The Yes Album), thankfully the sound on those has been fantastic!
Thanks for the comment Kieron.
Thanks for a very clear analysis. What was the all in cost of this to ship to the UK, Dave (including Tax)...........c£50 ?
Hi Ian, It was around £45 all in.
I also have a hand signed litho of this cover artwork from Roger Dean himself. The artwork has a wider spectrum of colors than any actual cover print. But the original, or at least the litho than Roger dean was personally signing and selling was much more blue than the original UK pressing. The reissue, while still not true to the artwork is more accurate
That's interesting, thanks for the feedback Scott.
Hey Dave- do you by any chance know when the AP Fragile 45 is coming out? I know Close to the Edge is coming next month, but I can’t seem to find a release date for Fragile.
Hi Brendan, I didn't actually know that Close to the Edge was due next month. Best get my pre order in! Sorry, I don't have any secret info from Acoustic Sounds. However if I find out I'll certainly let you know.
@@DaveDenyer No problem- thanks Dave!
Are You going to review the new Doors UHQR Dave?
I certainly plan to. It’s on its way!
Is that very heavy rain in the background or excessive surface noise? LOL :)
LOL! It was raining. The sun’s out now though!
The original cover had the names wrong. It was quickly corrected in later pressings
As I suspected, thanks for the confirmation.
@@DaveDenyer and for hard core Yes collectors such as myself the original original UK pressing of Time and a Word has the song order wrong on side B. They very quickly caught this mistake and recut side B. This is easy to ID in the matrix numbers. The true original with the wrong song order is 1A 1B. The corrected pressing is 1A 2B. Nothing to do with Relayer but good to know. The true originals are very rare.